Remote Dimmer

superdon · 09-01-2007, 2:45 PM

Hi.

Almost finished off the lounge now and was thinking of replacing the current standard light dimmer with a remote dimmer.

Popped to B&Q and saw the Varlight (IQI401M I think). Looked like it would do the job.

Couple of questions though.....

Will it work with my new Harmony 895 remote? Will I be able to dim the lights via remote?

I read the following about the remote dimmer that I dont quite understand...."Must not be used with a standard switch in a two way circuit. Use Slave switches for more than one switch in a circuit." Whats this mean? In the lounge there are two switches for the lights at the moment, one is a dimmer, and the other is a on/off switch. Does that mean I cannot use this?

Cheers for any advice.

stevelup · 09-01-2007, 2:54 PM

Hi

You would need to change your other light switch switch for a slave unit. They are less than a tenner.

By the way, don't buy from B&Q - they are much cheaper from TLC Direct and they have the full range there.

Regards,

Steve

superdon · 09-01-2007, 3:40 PM

So I couldnt just replace the existing standard dimmer with this new one and leave the existing standard switch as it is? Not sure why?

Also, for upstairs, I have bought just a standard 1 way 400w dimmer (not a remote one). Again, the bedroom has two light switches, but neither are dimmers. Will this dimmer be ok up there or do I have the same problem.

stevelup · 09-01-2007, 3:43 PM

Hi

No, you cannot do that. The Varilight dimmers must be used with the matching slave dimmers.

I can't answer about your upstairs dimmer as I'm not sure what you have bought.

Regards,

Steve

superdon · 09-01-2007, 4:02 PM

cheers steve.

are there any remote dimmers that I could use without replacing the other switch? Its just, replacing the other one will be a bit of a pain for a few reasons.

As for the upstairs one, its preety much the same as this one...http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VL11.html

stevelup · 09-01-2007, 4:12 PM

Hi

All I can suggest is to disconnect and isolate the other switch in both cases.

Especially with the upstairs one as the dimmer you have bought is not 2 Way capable.

Regards,

Steve

superdon · 09-01-2007, 4:23 PM

lol, i thought that as i typed my last post.

I might just give up on the downstairs!

As for upstairs, if I replace it with the 2 way version of that dimmer, will I be ok?

stevelup · 09-01-2007, 4:26 PM

Hi

Yes, that will work fine - the dimmer is a push on, push off one, and the other remote switch will toggle it correctly.

There is nothing you can do with the Varilight touch dimmer other than use the correct slave though.

Regards,

Steve

superdon · 09-01-2007, 4:40 PM

cheers steve. will grab a new 2 way dimmer for upstairs, and leave the lounge until i feel more adventourous!